By KATHIE HEMPEL

Niles Daily Star

BUCHANAN — For some they are members of the family. Many make them their career. Others spend a great deal of time and money protecting them from extinction or harm.
Animals. Whether it is Fido curling up on a lap, days spent caring for them on the farm or simply being out in nature watching the fish jump in the lake or a hawk gliding in the breeze, humans have an intrinsic fascination with the animal world.
On Sept. 25, Buchanan will be celebrating humans’ relationships with their furry, feathered, scaled and even slimy friends with a one-day Blessing of the Animals Festival. The idea for the festival came about during a fundraising planning meeting being held at the Buchanan Art Center. Activities will be centered in the Buchanan Commons.
Each fall across the country, pet owners can be seen leading their favorite pets to local churches for a special blessing ceremony. First Presbyterian Church in Buchanan will hold its Blessing of the Animals Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and inspired its neighbors at the art center next door to create the festival to further honor pets.
The festival, which will celebrate all creatures great and small, will also serve as a fun way to raise funds for the popular art center.
A number of interesting family-fun activities and displays of interest to animal enthusiasts are planned for the event. The art center itself is offering pet paw prints in clay tiles, a gift booth of animal related items, a raffle for a pastel portrait of a pet and children can have their faces painted as their favorite animals. T-shirts and calendars promoting the center’s lively scarecrow program will also be for sale.
Orchardview Grooming and Boarding of Buchanan will have a Doggie Kissing Booth and will donate all proceeds to the art center. Their New Buffalo location, Wags & Whiskers will also have a display.
Second Chance Small Dog Animal Rescue of Elkhart will be holding an adoption event as part of the festival. All dogs from the rescue have had complete health checkups and are vaccinated. Potential owners can apply for adoption after which the group will conduct a home visit. Fees vary according to the animal selected.

The Rainbow Tracks Buchanan Area 4-H Club is planning a booth for petting chickens and rabbits. Whispering Dreams Farm is setting up a goat petting area and will sell goat milk soap.
While there will be no petting of the honey bees, Blossomland Bee Supply will present a video on the “Vanishing of the Bees” in addition to supplying information for those interested in beekeeping classes. Local honey will also be for sale.
Buchanan ‘s Field of Dreams Dog Park supporters will promote park awareness, sponsor a pet costume contest and a Strut your Mutt Walk, among other fundraising activities for the newly planned Buchanan attraction.
New exhibits are being added every day and vendors and crafts people from the surrounding area are invited to participate. Booths for anyone wishing to sell or promote animal related products and passions can be rented for $20. Applications are available by contacting the Buchanan Art Center at 117 West Front St., Buchanan, 697-4005 or buchananart@att.net.